Small cars gain sophistication, mass appeal

SMALL, fuel- and space-efficient economy cars have been on the rise for years, especially here in the Philippines that make owning a car a bit challenging.

Thankfully this year, there are now more options than ever before for fuel- and space-saving, and wallet-friendly cars, and every type of buyer can find what they’re looking for.

Apart from the usual popular models—Toyota Wigo, Mitsubishi Mirage/Mirage G4, Hyundai Eon and Grand i10, Chevy Spark and Kia Rio—expect these new additions further spice up the competition.

A REFRESHED Celerio is best described as best-in-class luggage capacity, superb ease and comfort in driving, and outstanding fuel efficiency.

Suzuki Celerio

Launched in August, Suzuki Philippines unveiled a refreshed Celerio, which Suzuki Philippines president Hiroshi Suzuki described as best-in-class luggage capacity, superb ease and comfort in driving, and outstanding fuel efficiency.

Compared to its predecessor, the 2015 Celerio, which won the the Basic Subcompact category of the 2015 Car of the Year-Philippines, is 10 cm longer (3.6 m long), 7 cm taller (1.54 m tall) and with a wheelbase longer by 6.5 cm (2.425 m). It remains 1.6 m wide.

What immediately catches one’s attention is the 2015 Celerio’s sharper-looking headlights, a restyled grill, a redesigned bumper, new foglamp housing, side profiles that have become sharper, larger taillights, roof-mounted lip spoiler, a third brake light, and 14-inch alloy wheels.

Furthermore, this 67-horsepower, 1-liter gasoline powered ride is now safer thanks to the addition of antilock braking system, dual airbags, side impact beams and Suzuki’s patented Total Effective Control Technology (TECT) design which integrates a lightweight impact-absorbing high-tensile steel body.

Suzuki Swift 1.2

In September, Suzuki Philippines further improved its lineup with the introduction of a refreshed Swift 1.2 that sports a new front grille, bumper design, foglamp bezel and 15-inch alloy wheels with new design.

Inside, the new Swift 1.2 gets a new fabric seat design while the rear seats were folded down (60:40 split) for added cargo space. The entertainment system is now touch-screen enabled as well as navigation-ready.

Suzuki Swift Dzire

Also during the same launch, Suzuki Philippines unveiled a refreshed Swift Dzire that now features a new chrome accented front grille, sporty bumper design with chrome accent foglamp bezel, new black-out headlamps and 14-inch alloy wheels.

The refreshed Swift Dzire’s seats now features a new fabric design. Like its hatchback twin, the refreshed Swift Dzire sports an entertainment system which is now touchscreen-enabled and navigation-ready.

Honda Jazz 1.5 V CVT

Early December, Honda Cars Philippines released a limited edition—12 units only—of the continuously variable transmission variant of the Jazz 1.5 V.

This limited edition is equipped with exclusive factory-installed Mugen accessories that included the 17-inch Mugen alloy wheels with wheel nut and lock set, Mugen tailgate spoiler, Mugen emblem and a shark fin antenna.

Six units of Jazz Mugen Limited Edition will be in Rallye Red color, while another six will be in Tafetta White color.

Honda Jazz 1.5 VX CVT

In April, HCPI also rolled out limited edition—only 20 units were released—of another Jazz variant, its 1.5 VX CVT, which came out in exclusive Brilliant Sporty Blue paint and original, factory-installed Modulo accessories (chrome front grille, door visor, tailgate spoiler, Modulo emblem, seatback pocket and cargo tray).

THE MAZDA2 boasts of an exhilarating driving experience.

Mazda2 SkyActiv

During the 2015 Manila International Auto Show held in April, Berjaya Auto Philippines, the official distributor of Mazda in the country, revealed the sedan and hatchback versions of the all-new Mazda2.

This latest iteration of Mazda2 is already equipped with a full-range of SkyActiv technologies—chassis, suspension and drivetrain technologies are designed not only to enhance fuel economy but also over-all driving performance.

All variants are powered by a 1.5-liter four-cylinder in-line SkyActiv gasoline engine that is rated to produce 106 HP and 139 Nm of torque. While the S, V and R variants have the six-speed SkyActiv Drive transmission, only the R variant is equipped with additional paddle shifters. All variants come with a push start/stop button.

Mazda’s SkyActiv technology is an automotive engineering milestone for the Japanese automaker as it enables its equipped cars to deliver superior fuel economy, enhanced safety, lower emissions, and a natural, intuitive response to driver input while still retaining Mazda’s signature driving exhilaration.

Mazda MX-5

In August, Berjaya Auto Philippines, the exclusive distributor of Mazda vehicles in the country, finally launched the much-awaited latest iteration of the brand’s iconic two-seat, open-top sports car.

The fifth-generation MX-5 embodies the striking Kodo–Soul of Motion design language as well as the latest implementation of Mazda’s groundbreaking SkyActiv technology chassis, engine and drivetrain innovations.

The available variants offered here come with either the SkyActiv six-speed automatic transmission or the six-speed manual gearbox.

Apart from a more advanced driving aids, the all-new MX-5 is 100 kilograms less than the outgoing model, making this pocket rocket a a lot more fun to drive on the tracks.

Toyota Prius C

In January, Toyota Motor Philippines launched a face-lifted Prius C, giving the hybrid hatchback a “fresher and younger” look courtesy of a new bumper and front fascia.

The interior has also been redesigned to give a more youthful look. Safety has also been improved with vehicle stability control and traction control. Emergency Brake Signal flashes the LED brake lights rapidly during extreme braking.

Motorists who extremely care for the environment would be glad to know that the hybrid Prius C is powered by a Euro 5-certified, 1.5-liter gasoline Atkinson cycle engine working in tandem with an electric motor.

THE ALL-NEW (seventh-generation) Volkswagen Golf GTI vies for attention in the luxury small market segment.

Volkswagen Golf GTI

In February, Volkswagen Philippines launched the all-new (seventh-generation) Volkswagen Golf GTI. This German hot hatch comes with GTI premium sport seats, a GTI steering wheel with paddle shifts, a GTI shift knob, stainless steel pedals, scuff plates and trim.

Standard features include a keyless-go entry/exit with push start, interior ambient lighting, a climatronic two-zone air-conditioning system, anti-lock brakes, an electronic stability program, antislip regulation, electronic differential lock and other electronic features.

Seven airbags, an eight-channel parking sensor suite, a rear camera and other safety features are standard.

BMW ENTERS the luxury small market segment with a more affordable version of the 2Series Active Tourer.

BMW 2 Series Active Tourer

In March, Asian Carmakers Corp., the official importer and distributor of BMW in the Philippines, changed the premium small car market when it launched the 2 Series Active Tourer.

Equipped with a three-cylinder engine, the 2 Series Active Tourer is equipped with a specially-designed front-wheel-drive system, which is a first for BMW.

Kia Forte

In June, Kia Philippines launched the all-new Kia Forte and brought three body styles: a four-door sedan, a five-door hatchback and the Koup, a two-door version, which won this year’s Compact Car category of the 2015 Car of the Year-Philippines.

All the three offerings feature Kia’s latest electronic power steering system—called the FlexSteer—which allows the driver to set the steering input into Comfort, Normal or Sport.

Unlike the two, the Koup variant gets a distinct styling treatments which includes a more rakish rear windshield, frameless doors and 17-inch alloy wheels. Inside, the Forte Koup gets dual zone, full auto-climate control and a state-of-the-art entertainment panel with rear view camera.

Like the hatchback variant, the Forte Koup is powered by a 2-liter NU engine that generates a maximum 159 HP and 194 Nm of torque.

Nissan Almera

In November, Nissan Philippines (NPI) launched the locally assembled 2016 Almera, which comes with an updated exterior design along with a refreshed interior and a new engine option.

Compared with the previous model, the 2016 Almera has a redesigned front bumper, sharper-looking boomerang-inspired headlights and a larger V-motion grill with chrome accents.

According to NPI president and managing director Antonio Zara, the 2016 Almera features a generous cabin and trunk space that leads other cars in its class.